CARLTON will be without integral midfielder Claudia Whitfort for its qualifying final against reigning premier North Melbourne.

The former Sun has a history of soft tissue injuries, and scans revealed a minor hamstring injury suffered in the opening term of last week's win over Brisbane. There's no guarantee Whitfort will be available for Carlton's second final, either, having been ruled out for 1-2 weeks.

The Blues had "managed" key back Maddy Hendrie last week, but have since revealed she has a finger injury, and will be a test this week.

Ruck Jess Good is also managing an ongoing foot issue, but is also expected to pass a test to face the Roos.

The news is decidedly better at the Western Bulldogs, with co-captain Isabelle Pritchard closing in on a return for Sunday's elimination final.

The star midfielder suffered a minor knee injury in round 11 and sat out last weekend. At Tuesday's long training session, she rotated in and out of the main training group, moving freely and without strapping on her knee.

Pritchard will be a test for Sunday's sudden-death match against Sydney, with Elaine Grigg (rolled ankle) also expected to be fine, despite being on light loads on Tuesday. Jess Fitzgerald has raced through her hamstring rehab, but is still at least a week away.

Sydney is a chance to be boosted by the surprise return of Sofia Hurley, who has spent the past seven weeks sidelined with a serious ankle injury. The classy mover was listed as 3-6 weeks away last week, but is a test for the Swans' elimination final.

Ruck Caitlin Reid will undergo surgery on a fractured jaw, and while there's no timeline on her return, is unlikely to be sighted again this year. 

Melbourne could have up to five inclusions for its qualifying final, including Eliza McNamara (jaw), Liv Purcell (managed), Paxy Paxman (ankle soreness), Shelley Heath-Barker (concussion) and Georgia Campbell (illness).

Skipper Kate Hore suffered a "stinger" to her shoulder in the final minutes of the win over Adelaide, but was not named on the Dees' injury list.

Gold Coast is likely to make a host of changes, with Ava Usher (suspension), Daisy D'Arcy (concussion), Dekota Baron (head knock) and Clara Fitzpatrick (foot) set to be available, but Rhianna Ingram and Meara Girvan will miss with their own concussions.

North Melbourne premiership defender Eliza Shannon will return to the selection mix this weekend, provided her remaining days in concussion protocols go to plan, while former skipper Emma Kearney (hamstring) is a chance for the Roos' second final.

Fellow defender Tessa Boyd (managed, knee) is now available.

Hawthorn is a chance to regain versatile tall Mack Eardley, who has missed the past two weeks with an ankle injury, while Grace Baba has finally returned to full training after spending three months on the sidelines with her own ankle issue.

Check out each of the finalists' full injury lists below.